Published 27 June 2024 3 min read
England Men's Senior Team
Jude Bellingham speaks on fans' support, Slovakia and his return to Germany
The England midfielder appeared on the Lions' Den to reflect on EURO 2024 so far as preparation for the knockout stages begins
ENGLAND v SLOVAKIA: MATCH CENTRE
Jude Bellingham says England want to draw on the energy from the fans in Germany as they prepare to face Slovakia at EURO 2024.
The Three Lions head into the knockout stages on Sunday afternoon, when they return to Gelsenkirchen for the Round of 16 game.
And the Real Madrid midfielder says the support England have received from the fans at their three group games is one of their driving factors.
"You draw on them for energy, especially towards the end of a game and you hear them singing and chanting,” he said, during an appearance on Lions Den connected by EE on Thursday morning.
“You can play at a level that's not your normal or not your best, but the important thing when you're wearing this badge and this shirt is that you're representing them and you don't give up.
"I know there's a lot of negativity outside the camp and the stadiums, but I always feel when we get in the stadium, it's so different.
The Three Lions head into the knockout stages on Sunday afternoon, when they return to Gelsenkirchen for the Round of 16 game.
And the Real Madrid midfielder says the support England have received from the fans at their three group games is one of their driving factors.
"You draw on them for energy, especially towards the end of a game and you hear them singing and chanting,” he said, during an appearance on Lions Den connected by EE on Thursday morning.
“You can play at a level that's not your normal or not your best, but the important thing when you're wearing this badge and this shirt is that you're representing them and you don't give up.
"I know there's a lot of negativity outside the camp and the stadiums, but I always feel when we get in the stadium, it's so different.
27 Jun 2024
38:22
Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold on Lions' Den
The England pair joined host Josh Denzel on Thursday's live show ahead of the EURO 2024 clash with Slovakia
“I think it's important as teammates and as a team, we remember that the ones in the stadium are the ones who are going to give us the energy so don't worry about those who aren't there.
"We've got to keep using that energy and that feeling that we get from them to be successful in this tournament.”
England head into the knockout stages as winners of Group C, and are now preparing to face a Slovakia team who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams following their win over Romania on Wednesday evening.
And Bellingham says England are expecting to face a strong opponent at the weekend, with a place in the quarter-final at stake.
"You're always going to have tough games at this point in the tournament,” he added.
“People will look at it and think it's an easy game but it's definitely not. They'll pose a different threat and it's a different kind of thing to break down.
"When you play against the nations who come at you a bit more, it's a bit more open.
"It'll be an interesting game and I know the performances haven't been as good as they can be in the first three games but it's an opportunity for us to get back to the level that we need to be at.”
"We've got to keep using that energy and that feeling that we get from them to be successful in this tournament.”
England head into the knockout stages as winners of Group C, and are now preparing to face a Slovakia team who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams following their win over Romania on Wednesday evening.
And Bellingham says England are expecting to face a strong opponent at the weekend, with a place in the quarter-final at stake.
"You're always going to have tough games at this point in the tournament,” he added.
“People will look at it and think it's an easy game but it's definitely not. They'll pose a different threat and it's a different kind of thing to break down.
"When you play against the nations who come at you a bit more, it's a bit more open.
"It'll be an interesting game and I know the performances haven't been as good as they can be in the first three games but it's an opportunity for us to get back to the level that we need to be at.”
For Bellingham, the last few weeks have seen him back in a country he knows well following his time with Borussia Dortmund before he made the move to Madrid last summer.
"I had three really good years here in Dortmund and had a really good time and learned about a different football culture,” he explained.
"It was a really key part of my journey so far and I learnt a lot, not just things on the pitch but things off the pitch as well.
"For the first time, I had a bit more responsibility as a leader within a squad so I was grateful for everything that happened there.
“It’s a different kind of vibe here to Dortmund and it’s always interesting when you go to different cities in Germany as it’s always based on the people and the jobs. Dortmund was very industrial and where we are here is a bit more quiet, but it’s a nice place to have a basecamp.
"Travelling around Germany and playing in stadiums that I've played in before, it's been nice to reminisce.
England face Slovakia on Sunday 30 June, kicking-off at 5pm BST with the game being shown live on ITV1 and ITVX.
"I had three really good years here in Dortmund and had a really good time and learned about a different football culture,” he explained.
"It was a really key part of my journey so far and I learnt a lot, not just things on the pitch but things off the pitch as well.
"For the first time, I had a bit more responsibility as a leader within a squad so I was grateful for everything that happened there.
“It’s a different kind of vibe here to Dortmund and it’s always interesting when you go to different cities in Germany as it’s always based on the people and the jobs. Dortmund was very industrial and where we are here is a bit more quiet, but it’s a nice place to have a basecamp.
"Travelling around Germany and playing in stadiums that I've played in before, it's been nice to reminisce.
England face Slovakia on Sunday 30 June, kicking-off at 5pm BST with the game being shown live on ITV1 and ITVX.